Monday, November 28, 2011

Tote Bag to Pillow

A couple of weeks ago I went to a conference for work. It isn't unusual to get a tote to carry all of the handouts and catalogs we get. I've got plenty of totes like this.

I started thinking... this tote is made out of canvas....canvas is so popular right now...I could use this canvas for something...

First, I cut the handles off to be used on a project later, then I cut the bag down the sides by the seams. I then turned it inside out and sewed again right beside those seams. I also stitched down the little flaps at the bottom of the bag. So far so good.

I cut out a design on my Cricut and used the outline as a template for my Santa. I
used Martha Stewart's new paint from Plaid, found at Michael's. It is great paint!

Since I'm not the greatest seamstress, I just created an envelope style cover and stuffed it with stuffing. I folded over the top and tacked it down with pins, for it's temporary use over Christmas.

I've also gotta sneak in a picture of my little Indian from his class play last week! He did an awesome job with his lines!

Linking up with these parties:
Tip Junkie handmade projectsTodays Creative Blog



Sunday, November 20, 2011

Thankful

Today I am thankful for a husband who spends quality time with his children. Even if it means he might miss the "big buck" because they are too loud in the hunting stand!
I am also thankful for kids who can find creative things to do on a rainy afternoon. Olivia talked Daniel into making their own indoor rivers/streams, complete with a steamboat to travel from one to another!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Fall Table Setting



One of my most creative friends, KariAnne, created this tablescape. I only assisted with the vinyl for the plates, but wanted to share her wonderful creation. She picked out several "thanks" themed Bible verses. We then printed them flipped, so that they could be applied to the backs of the plates, for less yucky eating!

The whole table looks beautiful! This table runner has me motivated to create one for myself.

Tip Junkie handmade projectsTodays Creative Blog

The Letter of the Week is...


P for Peanuts!
(Uncle Steven, I have on my Jedi shirt!)

Sunday, August 28, 2011

A Blessed Event





Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A Quick Calendar Fix

When school starts back I want to get ubber organized so I always get a fresh, new calendar. I have professed my love of MomAgenda before and ordered a new one for 2011-2012. There's something about putting new events and old celebrations in a blank calendar.
Anyway, my old portfolio cover for my calendar had seen better days. I thought about fixing her up with mod podge or vinyl, but then she was a little bulky to carry around.
Enter, my kindle and her case. A simple elastic band works to hold it closed, I could get some elastic, sew it together and attach it to the back of the calendar. THEN I remembered that Olivia has those elastic headbands that would be perfect and I wouldn't have to drag the sewing machine out! She helped me pick out one that I could use.

I just used a little E6000 glue on the back of the calendar, attaching the elastic. I let it dry awhile with a can of beans on top to hold it down. (By the way, this glue is fabulous! It even held together a broken pool toy!)

The elastic holds it all together so extra papers don't escape. And it is more compact to fit in my purse or school bag. It is perfect for me!


Tip Junkie handmade projectsTodays Creative Blog



Sunday, August 7, 2011

Porch Makeover

We've lived in our house for almost 7 years, time sure does fly. We love our front porch, but it needed a little updating! Here's some before shots so you can see the shutters, swing, bench, rocking chairs and the front door (with Olivia's 2nd grade awards!)

Now the porch looks fresh and so much better! Jeff replaced the green shutters with raised panel black ones (after finding out we couldn't paint over the green ones). I painted the furniture and the light fixtures with black spray paint. The front door was bleached out and needed new life, with a little Gel Stain and 3 coats later, she looks so much better. Then we found some cute pillows at Home Depot to tie everything together!





It looks wonderful and it felt great to do it all ourselves! Now, if we could just get a little break from the heat to enjoy it more!
Tip Junkie handmade projects
Todays Creative Blog

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

WFMW - more shoe options!

Do you ever have one of those "ah ha" moments that make you laugh hysterically? My Works For Me Wednesday Tip did that to me!

I was shopping at a fabulous outlet mall in Orlando last week with a teaching buddy of mine - we were at a school conference. Leigh Ann wanted to go into a shoe store, I wasn't crazy about packing more shoes for the flight home.

As Leigh was looking at her shoe size she says she is going to look at the kids' shoes as well. She has a smaller foot than mine and I figured this would work for her. I went around to that size of the store with her and saw a women's to kid's shoe size conversion chart. Low and behold, I didn't even know you could convert a women's size 8 to a kid's size 6!! I ended up looking, finding a cute pair of shoes (that were even a size 5 1/2).

I know this isn't news for some of you, but the next time I buy a pair of tennis shoes I'm checking in the kid section, I hear you can save money this way!

The conversion is simple, the kid size is simply two sizes smaller than your adult size. Happy shopping!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Summer Update








We finally got out of school on June 3, I know a month ago. We've been busy since then...a week at Disney, swim lessons, t-ball games yearly checkups, quilt camp and Challenger Space Center Camp....

Thought I would share some favorite shots from Disney.